The Streets of Brum - Part Three

Birmingham’s streets, roads and lanes are an absorbing aspect of our history. They call out to us about long dead landowners, notable figures from the history of England, Brummies long forgotten, farms that have been swept away by the outpouring of our city, remarkable physical features, distant battles, intriguing foreign places and mysterious happenings.

The street names of Birmingham raise many immediate questions. Why did Phillips Street become Inge Street? Was James Turner Street in Winson Green named after the gun barrel manufacturer of that name or was the street name derived from James Turner, the 18th century Baptist minister from Cannon Street Church? Which famous 19th century explorer prompted the naming of no less than two roads in Birmingham, one in Birchfield the other in Kings Heath? Which is the most baffling street name in Birmingham? What is the legend of Ladypool Road?

In this deeply researched book, Carl Chinn looks at scores of street names, bringing to life their meaning and those people who belonged to them.

Carl Chinn MBE is Professor of Community History at The University of Birmingham, a broadcaster with BBC WM and a columnist with the Birmingham Evening Mail and the Express and Star. The Streets of Brum: Part Three is his 24th book.